OSP's nod needed before removal of lampposts

CEBU, Philippines - The approval of the Office of the Special Prosecutor is needed before the controversial lampposts used during the ASEAN summit may be removed.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said, “If they wanted to remove the lamppost there should be permission and approval of the Office of the Special Prosecutor first.”

Apostol said the Office of the Ombudsman was looking for those responsible for the installation of the lamppost. He admitted that the case is moving slowly because other sectors are hesitant to help them.

He said there must be cooperation within the government and the people to fight against corruption.

To recall, there were 1,800 overpriced lampposts purchased for the ASEAN summit and installed in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila filed the anti-graft case before the Sandiganbayan against 11 officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 for the P35 million lamppost projects in Lapu-Lapu City in 2007.

Included as respondents were Regional Director Robert Lala; Assistant Regional Director Gloria Dindin; Assistant Regional Director Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson Marlina Alvizo; Maintenance Division OIC-Chief Pureza Fernandez; BAC members Cresencio Bagolor, Agustinito Hermoso, Luis Galang and Restituto Diano ; Technical Working Group (TWG) members Ayaon Manggis, Marilyn Ojeda, and Teresa Bernido; and private respondent Gerardo Surla.

Based on reports, the contract which cost P35,634,401.25 was signed between Dindin and Surla, chairman of the board of Gampik Construction and Development Inc.

The Office of the Ombudsman-Manila found the project was overpriced by P12,629,816.99 compared to the computation of the Ombudsman which was P23,004,584.2. – (FREEMAN)